BIRMINGHAM, Ala. —This Friday evening, senior and cross country captain Kayley DeLay represented the women's track and field team by competing in the 5000m final at the NCAA Division I Indoor Track and Field Championships, hosted by the University of Alabama at Birmingham. DeLay headed into Friday's final ranked 11th out of the 16 competitors racing in the 25 lap event. As this is the most competitive qualifying meet in college track and field, DeLay toed the line prepared to put herself into the mix with the leaders as long as possible.
As the gun went off, DeLay executed her plan, hanging back around fifth place through the first half of the race. The lead racers, such as junior Mercy Chelangat of Alabama, made the middle mile of the race quite tactical, ranging from 35-second 200m splits to over 42-second 200m splits. This constant change in pace makes it quite difficult for any runner to fall into a consistent rhythm. DeLay persisted through these energy-sapping surges, and held on to close the race in 15th overall (16:19.14). BYU's Courtney Wayment won (15:30.17).
This season has shined a spotlight on DeLay's competitiveness and determination every time she steps onto the track. With the abundance of accolades she has achieved throughout her senior year, such as All-American in cross country and multiple Ivy League Championships, it seems quite certain that DeLay will use this race as more experience as she transitions to the 3000m steeplechase this outdoor season. DeLay competed in the steeplechase last summer at the 2020 (held in 2021) US Olympic Team Trials, and with consistent and healthy training, DeLay has the ambitions to compete at another NCAA Championship in June.
